Vehicle signal light



Aug. 24,1926. 1,597,497

I J. S. WILLIAMSON ET Al.

vmufcm: SIGNAL; LIGHT Filed Api'il 24, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Au .'24,19zs. 1,597,497

' J. S. WILLIAMSON ET AL VEHICLE SIGNAL LIGHT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 24, 1924 h v gwuentoz Patented Aug. 24, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN S. WILLIAMSON AND HERBERT L. BEACH, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, AS-

SIGNORS, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO SIDNEY L. DAVIS, RECEIVER FOR MORGAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC., 01 KEENE, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

VEHICLE SIGNAL LIGHT.

Application filed April 24, 1924. Serial No. 708,766.

This invention relates to certain improvements in vehicle signal lights; and the nature and objects of the invention will be readily recognized and understood by those skilled in the arts involved in the light of the following detailed description and explanation of the accompanying drawings illustrating what we at present consider to be the preferred embodiments or mechanical expressions of the invention from among various other forms, arrangements, combinations and constructions of which the invention is capable within the spirit and scope thereof.

More particularly the invention is directed to the well known combination rear or tail and stop signal types of lights in general use on automotive and other vehicles, although certain features of the invention are directed to the various types of automotive vehicle and other lights generally. The combination tail and stop signal ty es of automobile lights are characterize generally by a casing or housing providing a tail light compartment and a stop signal light compartment in which are mounted suitable sources of light such as electric lamps or bulbs which are independently operated. It is found that a relatively small low candle powered lamp or bulb is sufficient for illuminating the rear or tail signal while a much larger and higher powered lamp is necessary to efficiently illuminate the stop signal. This results in practice in the requirement for a casing of considerable greater depth or thickness than would be necessary if a stop signal lamp of the smaller size could be employed, in order to properly mount and receive the large lamp or bulb for the stop signal.

\Vith these types of signal lights the electric lamps or bulbs are subjected in use to considerable vibration causing breakage of the filaments thereof and frequent replacement which is generally attendant with certain difiiculties due to the arrangement of the casing and mountings for the lamps therewithin. Again, this type of automobile signal light is mounted on the exterior of the automobile exposed to the weather and to dirt, dust and such like, so that the provision of a removable portion of the casing to permit o 399655 to the. lamps therein results in joints and openings through which water and other foreign matter can enter and materially reduce the efliciency of the light, or even render the same inoperative.

Hence, one of the main and basic aims and objects of the present invention is the elimination of the necessity in the combination tail and stop signal types of signal lights of forming the casing or housing therefor of a greater depth or thickness than required by the smallest electric lamp or bulb to be used therein, by the provision of an arrangement of the different size electric lamps therefor which permits of their being mounted in a casing of a thickness through out which is determined by the size of the smallest lamp used in mounted position, and thereby materially reduce the size and cost of the casing and secure a more compact and efficient mounting of the light on an automobile or other vehicle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mounting for the electric lamps or bulbs in vehicle signal lights, which mounting forms a resilient shock absorber to reduce breakage of the lamps from vibration in use and in which the lamps are readily accessible for removal and replacement.

Another object of the invention resides in the formation of a unit mounting for the different sized electric lamps employed in vehicle signal lights of the combination tail and stop signal types, which will arrange and dispose the lamps in the proper operative positions in a casing of relatively small thickness and is so supported and mounted in the casing as to be movable with the lamps as a unit when the casing is opened to permit removal and replacement of the lamps.

A further object of the invention is to provide a casing or housing for vehicle and the like signal lights, having a removable face or lens carrying portion in which joints or openings formed in mounted position with the casing are materially reduced and in which any joints or openings at the upper or top portion of the casing are completelv eliminated to prevent entry of water an other foreign matter therein.

- Another object of the invention is to provide certain improvements generally in the design, eonstruetion and arrangements of combination tail and stop signal lights to automobiles, in order to secure a more compact assembly and a higher eilieieaey and utility in operation and use, as well as alight of this type. whieh is readily manufactured at a relatively low cost while retaining the desirable characteristics of strength and simplicity.

ith the foregoing and certain other objects and results in view. which other objects and results will be re dily apparent to and recognized by those sicilled in this art iron: the following description, the invention eonsists in certain novel feature in eon truetion and in combination and g of elements, as will be more itullfv and ularly referred to and specified her Referring to the accompanying drav. mm: Fig. l is a front elevation e. eoinbii e tail and stop signal light embodying the invention and showing a license plate ar-Ji holder in mounted p0..- ion thereon.

Fig. 2, is a front elevation with the lenses and removable face portion or frame rte-- taehed to show the lamp l'naehet and lann in mounted position.

Fig. is a top plan view or" the light the invention.

Fig. l. is a side elevation.

Fig. is a vertical transverse se ing the mounting of the lamp l the tail. stop signal lenses. a d luminating lenses.

Fig. 6 is a detail prospeetive lamp bracket unit.

The principles and severa invention are presented her. way ot example an. not r' embodied in a combination i n stop signal light for automobiles. adaptation of the invention is selected cause the several prolnems overcome disadvantages eliminated by the inven a are encountered in this type oi vehiele li; it in a high degree. and henee tl ipies and features of the invention iowe clearl diSLlosed and eXplaine 'orn However. it will be apparent t 'lleil in the art that al features of :ition are not limited to the type ot' lghi shown ut are equally a rapted for and embodiment in signal of lights gene ally.

In the example illust ated in panying drawings a combine. ion tail stop signal light embodying the invent includes a casing or housing 10 i which are mounted suitable sign: and which is provided with i or, transparent panels-for illumina the signal lamps. The-easing or i101. is preferably. as in the illustrated L le. east or'otherwise suitably formed ot' a rela "he net-oinaluminum a back or and oppotivelg light weight metal, such as or an alloy thereof. and includes rear wall ll, top wall or root l2. ll

site 1 walls ll. The rear wa ll ot easing l!) rved transversely with the oppmsle ei'tending torvvardl, therefrom and tnrther 2 gral depending portion in re I dth and extending dovvnwardlv ition ot the "ear wall to provide 1' member b which the casing l position on a vehicle, as will be niorv tally reterred to hereinai ter.

The not or top wall o" the casing 10 is formed with a central ll( e or elevated rib portion is and opposite outwardly and iownwardl sloping or inelined side portions to prov de r "ap t l i' shedding water o other matter 'lalli g thereon and to prevent aecuinulation thereof on the casing. this formation of me casing top wall 12 will be readil apparent and understood in relerenre to thearemi'ipanving drawings.

"the lower end POlt'it ll of the opposite .gl walls ll or casing 10 are curred invv and down wardl toward earn other iihng .Iltl conli'ornrng to the Ollillllt. of

the redueed depending end portion 15 of the we ll 11. and terminate a distance above the lower end of the portion 15 as particularl v shown b v Figs. 2 and 4 ol. the

aeeci'npanving drawings. The Front 0; the

casing 1.0 is open and is prn'ulal at the portion thereot with an Int gral laee rtinent he rear c is de d por end thereof in bers 21 and a cross member 22 forming a lens frame at the upper portion thereof, and a reduced depending face portion 23 having a lens opening therethrough and terminating in a rounded lower edge portion 24. The reduced depending face portion 23 is provided with a rearwardly extending flange 25 therearound which is extended rearwardly at the opposite upper ends thereof to form the bars 26 adapted to fit against the lower edges of the portions 14 of side walls 1 (See Fig. 4.) The removable front lens carrying face plate or frame 20, so formed, is attached in mounted position over the front of casing 10 with the lens opening formed by side members 21 and cross member 22 disposed over and across the upper portion of light compartment T and with the lens opening formed through the re duced portion 23 disposed over the lower portion of compartment T. In mounted position the upper ends of side members 21 fit against the lower ends of the flange 1.6, and the rearwardly extending bars 26 fit against the lower edges of the sidewalls 14 and at their rear ends bear against the rear wall portion 15, the curved lower edge portion 24 and flange 25 extending over and surrounding the lower curved edge 15 of the depressed portion of the reduced depending end 15 of rear casing wall 11, as shown particularly in Fig. 4. The removable face plate or frame 20 is detachably mounted in the foregoing position on casing 10 by machine screws 27 or other suitable fastening means extended throu h the rearwardlyextending bars 26 and the portions 14 of the casing side walls 14.

The lower ends of the opposite sides of the flange forming member 16 integral with the casing 10, are undercut at 16, and the upper ends of the side members 21 of the face plate or frame 20 are beveled at 21*, so as to from a tight substantially leak.- proof upwardly extending joint to prevent entry of water or other foreign matter.

Due to the formation of the top wall 12 of the casing with the integral lens frame 16 across the upper portion of the casing, all joints, or openings are eliminated and a substantially leak and weather proof casing is formed with the removable face plate or lens frame 20 in mounted position thereon. All joints formed by the removable frame 20 with the casing 12 are disposedon the sides of the casing or on under portions thereof covered and protected by unbroken parts of the casing, as will be apparent by reference to Fig. 4 of the drawings in particular.

The compartment S formed in the casing receives a suitable lamp for illuminating the stop or other desired signal, which is formed by a suitably colored, preferably red, lens .or transparent panel R mounted on and extending across the upper portion of the casing, and removably maintained in position closing compartment S by the flange forming frame 16 and the removable face plate or frame 20. The lens or panel S is of sutlicient depth or length to extend down over, across the upper part of compartment T and to close and be exposed through the lens opening formed in the removable face plate 20 by the side members 21 and cross member 22, these latter members fitting over and bearing against the depending portion R of lens B to maintain the same in proper position. The lens formin portion R of the transparent panel or lens R is illuminated from the tail light compartment T of casing 10, and is intended to carry, if desired, suitable advertising matter which will be visibly displayed thereby, such for example as lettering, words or such like applied or formed on the panel. Preferably, as illustrated herewith, the panel R is formed integral with the panel or lens R as a part thereof, although if desired the lens or panel R can be formed as a separate element.

A circular lens or bulls eye U of concaveconvex form is mounted in and closing the lens opening formed through the reduced lower end portion of the face plate 20 and in mounted position is disposed over the light compartment T of casing 10, for illumination therefrom. This lensU forms the tail or rear signal and is preferably colored red in accordance with the prevailing practice. Another lens or transparent panel V (see Figs. 4 and 5) is mounted in and extending around the'rounded lower end 24 andthe flange 25 of the reduced portion of the removable face plate or lens frame 20. This lens or panel V is mounted extending rearwardly from flange 25 and is curved upwardly at the opposite ends to and hearing against suitable flanges or shoulders (not shown) on theinner faces of the opposite portions 14 of the casing side walls 14. With the removable face plate and lens carrying frame 20 in mounted position the lens V bears against and around the shoulder formed by the curved lower edge 15 of the depressed portion of rear wall extension 15, and thus closes the lower or under side of the casing 10. Lens or transparent panel V is preferably clear and is illuminated from the tail light compartment T so as to provide for projecting light therefrom onto a license tag or plate which may be mounted therebelow within range of this lens.

Suitable electric lamps or bulbs are mounted in the compartments Sand T of the casing for illuminating the various lenses forming the signals as referred to.

The lamp or bulb within the compartment S is intermittently operated by suitable mechanism, in the usual or any other desired wardly from the casing with the lamps readily accessible without interference from the casing. Attention is directed to the shape of the top 12 of the casing and frame forming flange 16 to provide a cut away or raised portion 16" to permit of the lamp or bulb 28 passing freely to and from compartment S without interference from the casing. This formation of casing 10 permitting further reduction in size and material and assisting in the provision of a casing of maximum compactness.

The combination tail and stop signal light as described is mounted on an automobile or other vehicle in any desired manner by means of the depending portion 15 of casing 10. In the example shown, a portion of a brace member or other element A at the rear of a vehicle is more or less dia-- grammatically illustrated, and carrying a license plate or tag bracket B to the central portion of which the depending portion 15 of the casing 10 is secured by the bolts or screws 35. A license plate or tag C (Fig. 1) is secured depending from bracket B and is thus disposed in position below and illuminated by lens V from lamp 29 in compartment T. The electric lamps 28 and 29 are suitably electrically coupled with any desired source of electrical energy (not shown) carried by the vehicle, as will be readily understood. In the example of the invention shown herewith, due to the hereinbefore described formation of casing 10 and arrangement of lamps therein, it is possible to carry the electrical conductors or wires for the lamps in a single conduit from the casing, such as the flexible conduit 35 in which are housed the wires or cables 36 and 37 from the source of current. An opening is provided at the lower end of the casing rear wall 11 through which cables 36 and 37 extend from conduit 35 into the compartment T. The cable 37 is connected to the lamp socket 29 for operating lamp 29, and the cable 36 is extended upwardly through the casing dividing wall 18 into compartment S where it is connected to socket 28 for operating lamp 28.

Preferably the front of casing 10 is transversely curved rearwardly as shown by Figs. 3 and 4 so as to reduce the thickness of the casing at the sides and contribute to the compactness of the assembled light. By the foregoing construction and formation of the casing 10 and by the arrangement of the lamps therewithin an extremely compact combination tail and stop signal light is provided of relatively small size yet efficient in operation which can be readily mounted on a vehicle to occupy a minimum of space. The lamps of the device are readil accessible and their life in use is materially lengthened by the resilient or spring mounting formed by the unit lamp bracket 30, through the medium of which both lamps can be simultaneously moved to position for removal and replacement.

It is evident that various changes, variations, modifications and substitutions might be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention, and hence we do not desire to limit ourselves to the exact and specific disclosures hereof.

Desiring to protect our invention in the broadest manner legally possible, what we claim is:

1. In a casing for signal and the like lights, a rear wall, top wall and opposite side walls integral therewith, an integral lens frame forming flange across the top wall and extending a distance along the side walls, and a removable face plate forminga lens frame detachably mounted on said casing below and forming a continuation of said integral frame forming flange. In a casing for signal and the like lights, a rear wall, top wall and opposite sidewalls integral therewith, an integral lens frame forming flange across the front of the top wall and extending downwardly a distance along the front of the side walls, and a removable face plate forming a lens frame detachably mounted on the front of the casing below and forming a continuation of said integral frame forming flange thereabove, the lower ends of the integral frame forming flange undercut and the up per ends of the removable frame forming face plate beveled and received in said undercut ends of the integral frame flange.

3. In a casing for signal and the like lights, a rear wall, top wall and opposite side walls integral therewith, the top wall formed with an intermediate elevated ridge portion and opposite outwardly and downwardly inclined side portions to provide a water shedding upper surface for the easmg, an integral lens frame forming flange across and depending from the front of the top wall and extending downwardly a distance along the front of the side walls, and a removable lens frame forming member detachably mounted on the front of the casing below and in continuation of the integral frame forming flange, the upper ends of said removable member alined with and abutting the lower ends of said integral flange to form -joints therewith below and protected by said water shedding top wall and the said integral frame forming flange.

4. In a casing for signal and the like lights, the face thereof formed with a lens carrying frame the upper portion of which is integral with the casing and the lower portion of which is removable, the joints formed between said integral upper portion and said removable lower portion disposed beneath and protected by the said upper integral frame portion.

p nwuntfin hwzt material and blc lens carrying face plate on said Cas umtnl'y lam g a 1101- formmg d :1 lower c0211- win 1 a casing 11 transverse wal ant ligl' ed art "ncrev-d thin,

he same with 

